Welcome to The Euro Debrief, a fresh Sky Sports column where Adam Bate distills the most compelling narratives from the latest continental fixtures. This week’s roundup focuses on Real Madrid’s continued dominance under Jose Mourinho, the ripple effects across Europe’s top leagues, and a handful of surprising storylines that have emerged. Real Madrid have now secured three victories from three matches under Mourinho, highlighted by a clinical 4-0 demolition of Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu. The fixture list has not yet tested the squad’s depth, but early signs suggest Mourinho has discovered a formula that maximises the talents of an increasingly deep roster.
The Spaniards displayed a blend of tactical discipline and attacking flair, with every player contributing to the clean sheet and the four‑goal haul. Trent Alexander‑Arnold delivered a classic, inch‑perfect assist that underscored his growing influence in the team’s creative engine. Kylian Mbappé, fresh from a mid‑week hat‑trick against Real Sociedad, added another strike to his tally, reinforcing his status as Madrid’s primary goal threat. Yet it was Jude Bellingham who stole the spotlight, operating from the No.10 position and dictating the tempo against Malaga.
His movement, vision and ability to link play made him the standout performer on the pitch. Bellingham’s role at Madrid has been a subject of intense debate since his arrival.
Former manager Carlo Ancelotti deployed him in a variety of positions—deep‑lying midfielder, wide midfielder, and occasional forward—to exploit his all‑round skill set. Mourinho, however, has been explicit about his vision: Bellingham should sit just behind Mbappé, acting as the conduit between midfield and attack.
The results speak for themselves; the English midfielder’s influence has grown, and his partnership with the French forward appears to be flourishing. The rapport between Mourinho and Bellingham may not be surprising. In 2024 the player humorously admitted that Mourinho was his mother’s crush, a light‑hearted anecdote that hinted at a deeper connection.
Both men share an unrelenting drive and a demanding personality, expecting nothing less than total commitment from those around them. That shared intensity has translated into a working relationship that seems to be bearing fruit. The match also showcased Madrid’s bench strength.
Arda Güler entered as a substitute and capped the scoring with the fourth goal, while Yan Diomande and Bernardo Silva were also introduced, adding fresh legs to an already potent lineup. The bench featured the likes of Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries and the previous week’s hero Carlos Espinosa, underscoring the depth that Mourinho now has at his disposal.
Looking ahead, the challenge will inevitably intensify. As noted by Marca, Madrid have historically stumbled in games that appear straightforward on paper. So far, Mourinho has navigated those potential pitfalls adeptly, and there are no visible signs of the rumored friction with Vinícius Júnior.
The key players are performing, and the squad appears cohesive. Beyond Madrid, other notable developments unfolded across Europe.
Atletico Madrid halted Sevilla’s surprising unbeaten run with a solid performance, while Troy Parrott showed promise for Betis before they were overwhelmed by Levante. Veteran striker Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang, at 37, continued his scoring streak with a third consecutive goal for Deportivo. Racing Santander finally recorded their first LaLiga win after two defeats, edging Elche 3‑2 with a brand of football that defies conventional Spanish tactics.
Their ascent from the third tier to top‑flight victory within a single season exemplifies the unpredictable nature of the league. In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich opened the campaign with a thunderous 5‑1 victory over Stuttgart, highlighting the squad’s depth even without a goal from Harry Kane. New signing Ismael Saibari made an immediate impact, coming off the bench to replace fellow newcomer Nathaniel Brown and providing assists for Bayern’s final two goals.
Sporting director Christoph Freund praised Saibari’s versatility, noting that he offers a different style compared to Nicolas Jackson and can operate effectively alongside Kane or on the wings. Borussia Dortmund secured a 2‑0 win over Hamburg thanks to a goal from Giannis Konstantelias, but the celebration was muted as the Greek winger suffered a cruciate ligament injury that will sideline him for an extended period. The loss is a significant blow for Niko Kovač, whose early tenure at Dortmund had been marked by optimism. Bayer Leverkusen experienced a shocking 3‑2 defeat at the hands of newly promoted Elversberg, a club that only entered the Bundesliga in 2024 after three successive promotions.
Their upset victory over the reigning champions underscores the unpredictable nature of the league and sets up a tantalising clash with Bayern later in the season. Further Bundesliga highlights included Yuito Suzuki’s hat‑trick for Freiburg against Werder Bremen and Augsburg’s 3‑0 triumph over Schalke. Augsburg’s sporting director Benjamin Weber discussed the club’s strategy for maintaining over‑achievement as they head into their 16th consecutive top‑flight season.
In Serie A, Como secured a dramatic 2‑1 win over Napoli, with Rasmus Højlund scoring for the visitors but Cesc Fábregas’ side ultimately prevailing. Croatian midfielder Martin Baturina impressed with his pressing and creativity, setting up the winning goal for Anastasios Douvikas. Inter Milan, already atop the table, continued their dominant run with a narrow 1‑0 win at Cagliari, registering 31 shots and an expected‑goals tally of 3.91.
Meanwhile, AC Milan’s 2‑0 victory over Venezia showcased Gonçalo Ramos, whose eight attempts highlighted his role as a constant threat despite a relatively low conversion rate. In France, Paris Saint‑Germain struggled to find a winning formula, salvaging a 2‑2 draw at Lille thanks to late goals from Vitinha and Marquinhos. The Ligue 1 champions have now gone three games without a win, while Monaco remains the only side with a perfect record after a 2‑0 triumph over Marseille, thanks to a brace from teenage sensation Paris Brunner.
Paris FC, not PSG, currently holds the highest league position for a Parisian club after a 3‑0 victory over Nice. Portugal’s Primeira Liga saw Benfica’s Marco Silva face an early setback after a home draw with Académico de Viseu, while Porto continue their flawless start with four wins and no goals conceded.
In the Netherlands, AZ Alkmaar maintain the sole unbeaten record, eyeing their first title since 2009, while PSV announced a commanding 6‑1 win over Utrecht. Ajax, under new manager Michel, have secured seven wins and two draws across all competitions, ensuring a place in the UEFA Conference League.
Overall, the opening weeks of the European season have delivered a mix of expected dominance, surprise upsets, and individual brilliance. Mourinho’s early success with Real Madrid, Bellingham’s emerging role, and the depth displayed by clubs across the continent set the stage for an enthralling campaign ahead.